Ellicottville is known for its ski slopes, mountain biking trails, shops, restaurants, and year-round events. Holiday Valley Resort offers skiing, tubing, and snowboarding in winter, and an 18-hole golf course and mountain biking in summer. It’s a two-hour drive from Rochester to Ellicottville, whether you take the New York State Thruway or travel along the rolling back roads through Wyoming, Allegany, and Cattaraugus Counties.
In April 2024, Ellicottville was chosen as one of USA TODAY’s 10 charming main streets across the US that you can’t miss. “These 10 places with charming main streets—nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S.—offer more than just a road; these streets are living history, have a vibrant culture, and serve as the hearts of their communities.”
USA TODAY
Plan Your Day Trip to Ellicottville
Breakfast
Katy’s Cafe and Dina’s are breakfast options that open early in the morning.
Morning
Start your day outdoors. Griffis Sculpture Park, about nine miles north of Ellicottville, showcases more than 250 large-scale sculptures set among forests, meadows, and open fields. Little Rock City, south of Ellicottville in Rock City State Forest, is free to explore. You could spend 20 minutes or two hours wandering among boulders, some as large as houses. Follow the DEC directions rather than relying solely on a GPS route. Closer to the village, Nannen Arboretum is an eight-acre, Japanese-inspired arboretum with more than 200 trees and shrubs, themed gardens, and a paved quarter-mile trail around Lake Nipponica.
Lunch
Lunch options include The Gin Mill, Monroe St. Brick & Brew, Hidalgo Grill Mexican Restaurant, and Madigan’s. For craft beverages and lighter fare, consider Ellicottville Brewing Co. or a cheese-and-charcuterie pairing at the Winery of Ellicottville.
Afternoon
Browse the shops along Washington and Monroe Streets, including the Purple Doorknob, Kazoo II, Gado-Gado, Alexandra, and Ava Grace Fashions. Enjoy a sweet treat from Watson’s Chocolates and a hot beverage from Ellicottville Coffee Co. as you explore the village. Alternatively, continue your outdoor adventures at the Sky High Adventure Park at Holiday Valley. The Aerial Park features multiple courses, zip lines, climbing elements, and obstacle challenges throughout a wooded section of the resort. The Climbing Forest is a three-dimensional attraction that lets climbers ascend trees up to 45 feet. The park also offers a mountain coaster, chairlift rides, and mountain biking trails.
Dinner
Before heading home, stop for an early dinner at The Silver Fox Steakhouse, Villaggio, or West Rose.
Signature Events
The Summer Music Festival in early July brings three days of musical theater, classic rock ’n’ roll, and performances by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra to venues throughout the village and Holiday Valley Resort.
Jazz & Blues Weekend in late July fills restaurants, bars, and outdoor stages throughout the village with free live performances.
Rock N’ Roll Weekend in mid-September features performances by regional bands at outdoor stages, bars, and restaurants throughout the village.
Holiday Valley’s Fall Festival in mid-October features scenic chairlift rides, mountaintop cookouts, live music, vendors, and arts and crafts.
Contact Information
Alexandra 10 Washington St., (716) 699-5621, alexandragiftsonline.com
Ava Grace Fashions 22 Monroe St., (716) 699-1105, avagracefashions.com
Dina’s 15 Washington St., (716) 699-5330, dinas.com
Ellicottville Brewing Co. 28 Monroe St., (716) 699-2537, ellicottvillebrewing.com
Ellicottville Coffee Co. 16 Washington St., (716) 217-4047, ellicottvillecoffee.com
Gado-Gado 26 Monroe St., (716) 699-2128, gadogadoellicottville.com
The Gin Mill 26 Washington St., (716) 699-2530, ellicottvilleginmill.com
Griffis Sculpture Park 6902 Mill Valley Road, East Otto and 8810 Rohr Hill Road, (716) 667-2808, griffissculpturepark.org
Hidalgo Grill Mexican Restaurant 32 W. Washington St., (716) 699-1141
Holiday Valley Resort 6557 Holiday Valley Road, (716) 699-2345, holidayvalley.com
Katy’s Cafe 38 Washington St., (716) 699-8860
Kazoo II 21 Washington St., (716) 699-4484
Little Rock City (Rock City State Forest) Little Rock City Forest Road, Little Valley, (716) 372-0645, dec.ny.gov
Madigan’s 36 Washington St., (716) 699-4455
Monroe St. Brick & Brew 21 Monroe St., (716) 699-1051, msbbpizza.com
Nannen Arboretum 28 Parkside Drive, nannenarboretum.com
Purple Doorknob 11 Washington St., (716) 699-2084, purpledoorknob.com
Sky High Adventure Park 6773 Holiday Valley Road, (716) 699-4444, holidayvalley.com
The Silver Fox Steakhouse 23 Hughey Alley, (716) 699-4672, thesilverfoxrestaurant.com
Villaggio 7 Monroe St., (716) 699-2199, villaggioevl.com
Watson’s Chocolates 27 Washington St., (716) 699-2805, watsonschocolates.com
West Rose 23 Washington St., (716) 699-9113, westrose.restaurant
Winery of Ellicottville 14 Monroe St., (716) 699-1055, wineryofellicottville.com
Explore More
Allegany State Park
Plan a summer or fall day trip to Allegany State Park, with Red House, Quaker, Thunder Rocks, scenic trails, lakes, and an Ellicottville dinner.
Griffis Sculpture Park
Griffis Sculpture Park features more than 250 sculptures that are whimsical, fantastical, and delightful, all integrated into the landscape.
Little Rock City in Rock City State Forest
It is free to explore Little Rock City. You could spend 20 minutes or two hours wandering through the boulders, some as large as houses.
Where are your favorite places to visit in Ellicottville?
I’d love to hear from you—please reach out and share your thoughts and experiences.
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See you out there!
Debi
Enjoy the Journey Together!
